The Long Flight Home from Norway

Good morning,

The trip to Norway was finally coming to an end when we got up very, very early to go to Torp Airport in Southern Norway to start our journey back to the USA.

By most standards this is a very tiny airport.  We are delighted it is here because it is so close to where we wanted to visit.

As the sun came up we had the last views of the islands and inlets in Southern Norway.

We were on a KLM commuter flight to Amsterdam.

I got a kick out of the boxes containing the chicken sandwiches we were served.

 Fresh and delicious.

 We saw many modern wind mills as we approached Amsterdam.

 And, then we began the long part of the flight to Detroit.

 Up, up, and away.

After leaving Detroit, we took off for our final destination, Cincinnati.

 That's the Ohio River out there.

We were soon home with wonderful memories and lots and lots of pictures!

All the best,
Lois

Evening Goodbye to Family - Toensberg, Norway

Good morning,

The evening before we left Norway to return to the USA we enjoyed an evening with the Norwegian siblings.  We had coffee and talked talked about old times.  Wonderful times!

Our hotel was on the dockside so we were able to watch the Viking ship tours on the fjord.

As we sat there talking, there was a group of people having a meeting inside the hotel.

 Many of the young ladies were wearing bunads, the national costume.

 A little rubber boating and roars of the boat engines...

 ...as the young ladies in their bunads came outside...

 ...for a group picture.  I like the contrast of the people in modern clothes crossing the bridge in the background.

Beautiful!

Lois

Return to Viking Ship Building Site

Good morning,

Toward the end of our visit to Toensberg, Norway, we stopped by the site of the Viking Ship building several times.  That round building in the background is our hotel.

The Viking Ships are sealed with tar, the same as they were in the old days.

Fascinating!

Enjoy,
Lois

Toensberg Marina - Norway

Good morning,

There is a marina (foreground) right next to the hotel on the historic dockside in Toensberg, Norway.

Across the water is the company that manufactures most of the lines you've seen on huge ships that are tied up in port.  My Honey was born and grew up in Toensberg;  tThis company has been here for as long as My Honey can remember.

What a beautiful morning in Toensberg!  Even the sea gulls looked so happy.

These flowers were in bloom next to our hotel.

Beautiful!

All the best,
Lois

Viking Blacksmith

Good morning,

Today's images are of the blacksmith and his "shop" on the dockside in Toensberg, Norway, where Viking Ships are being built in the old way.

Iron is heated...

...then forged into nails for the ship.

Thousands of nails are needed and only about 50 are made each day.

This gentleman explained the entire process to us.

All of the people working on this project are volunteers.

 The building of Viking Ships in the old way by modern Vikings is truly a labor of love.

How fabulous to be able to see this. 

Enjoy,
Lois

Viking Ship Tour - Toensberg, Norway

Good morning,

While we were in Norway last June we had a great time watching the activity on the dockside right outside our hotel.

One morning we walked out of our hotel to find a Viking Ship being prepared for a tour.

This lady in Viking garb would be the safety officer and go along side the Viking Ship in this boat.

The guests had not yet arrived as the Viking Ship was being prepared for the tour.

 Safety requirements were met.

 People crossing the bridge over the fjord watched....

 Finally, the people arrived and boarded the ship...

 ...and they tried desperately to follow the instructions they had just been given about rowing in unison.

 Soon they were on their way...

 ...still working on that unison-thing.

 The pedestrian opened for them...

 Mr. and Mrs. Duck passed by...

 And the Viking Ship tour was on its way.

 They were still working on that unison-thing.

About four hours later we saw them returning.  I'm sure it was a fantastic tour, but they probably could feel it in their muscles that night!

Fun!

Lois